The Jack Brass Band stands out no matter what it does, since it's the Twin Cities' only New Orleans-styled, second-line-ready brass ensemble to actually make a name for itself in the Crescent City. With its latest album, "For Your Body" – due with a release party Saturday at Icehouse in Minneaplolis -- the seven-man party machine sets itself up as even more of an anomaly, blowing out a fun blend of sexy R&B standards ranging from Usher's "There Goes My Baby" and R. Kelly's "Freaky in the Club" to more vintage fare like Carl Carlton's "She's a Bad Mama Jama" and Mel Walter's "Got My Whiskey."
Choosing the more mainstream pop tunes – Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step" also made the cut – was a little more calculated than simply having fun, bass-drummer/ringleader Mike Olander explained.
"This way, people that aren't as familiar or haven't been previously exposed to what a New Orleans brass band is can easily access and understand what this 'feel-good music' is all about," Olander said.
As if to show that the JBB can hang with all the other NOLA brass bands, though, the collection ends with a far more obvious but no less enjoyable tear through the Meters' "They All Asked for You."
Click here for more details on Saturday's release party, 11 p.m., $6-$8, with eclectic gypsy jazz ensemble Lulu's Playground opening. Here's a taste of the new album, the Usher cut that serves as the opening track.
